Aeroplane.



L. L. FOSBURGH.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4. 1915.

Patented May 8, 1917 2 SHEETS-SHEET I avwentoz L. L. FOSBURGH.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4. 191 5. 1,224,915.

Patented May 8, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES 1 INVENTOR ATTOR N EY LANEENCE L. FOSBURGH. OF SAPULPA, OKLAHOMA.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ill 8, i917.

Application filed March 4, 1915. Serial No. 12,095.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Lxwm nvon L. FosnURGH, a citizen of the United States, resid 111g at Sapulpa, in the county of Greek and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specifica- 01011.

d Y invention relates to aeroplanes and more particularly to a devicefor stabilizing the machine during its course of flight.

The primary object of my invention rcsides in an improved carrying platform suspended from the frame of a machine, the

platform constituting a suitable pendulum and having associated therewith the connecting means of the balancing planes which i are movably mounted intermediate the main planes and arranged so to be acted upon simultaneously when the platform moves in various directions, due to the main planes taking a sudden endwise dipduring the flight of the machine.

Another object of my invention resides 2-5 in the improved means for suspending the platform between the planes.

A in the provision of novel flexible means for connecting the platform to the main planes as well as novel locking means associated with the connecting means whereby the halancing planes maybe prevented from operating, when desired.

A still furtherobjcct of my invention resides in the construction of the platform and further in an improved means for maintain ing the propeller thereon.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of a device of the character described that is simple in CODStYHC- tion, etlicient in operation and one that can be manufactured and placed on the market at a minimum cost.

Other objects as well as the nature, char 7 acteristic features and scope of my inven tion will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification. i i

In the drawings: i

Figure 1 is a perspective of the invention;

Fig. 2 is'a longitudinal section of the invention;

Fig. 8

- is an enlarged fragmentary perof rods 6,

further object of my invention resides.

spective of the platform showing the lucking means; and

Fig. 4c is an enlarged fragmentary per- SPGCUVQ f the :lioxible connecting means between the balancing planes and the plat form.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I provide an ueroplamy preferably of a biplane type including an upper plane 1 and a lower plane 2 suitably connected by means of vertical rods 3:3, the latter being po sitioued and rigidly secured adjacent the respective corners of the planes and also ad jaccnt the cornersofthe substantial square opening provided at a. point approximately intermediate the ends of the lower plane 2. Disposed on. the under surface of the top plane 1 at a point intermediate the ends thereof is a bar 5,. curved fore and aft in order to conform to the under-surface of the transversely curved plane, the said bar being supported in this position by means the respective cues of which are rigidly connected to the lower plane adjacent the rods 3, at the opening 4i. and to the bar 5 at the respective ends thereof. Pivotally mounted by means of suitable fasten ing devices 7 on the respective ends of the bar 5 are substantially l -shaped supporting members 8. the fastening devices eX- tending through the members at the vertices thereof. A platform. 9 is rigidly con nected to the terminals of the V-shapcd supporting members. Wheels 10 are rotatably mounted on the longitudinally extending rods 11 carried on the under surface of the platform and serve as a suitable means for facilitating the moving of the machine when it is not in flight. Suitable braces12 are connected to the longitudinal bars 11 and the supporting members 8 for facilitating the bracing of the parts.

In order to propel the aeroplane, I have provided a rectangular frame 13 and associ ated the same with the members 8 at a point approximately intermediate the planes 1 and 2. A shaftlet is rotatably mounted in suitable journals 15 mounted on the transverse sides of the frame 13. A propeller 15 is rigidly mounted on the rearwardly projecting end of the shaft. In order to rotate the shaft and consequently rotate the propeller, I provide the shaft with a suitable Wheel 16 about which is trained a belt 1'7, the belt being also asso- V-shaped supporting i ciated with a 'asolcne engine 18 carried by the frame 5.). the engine bein c positioned on one side of the latter..

Disposed internualiate the upper plane 1 andtl-ie lower plane 2 and upon each side of the opening are balancing planes 1!) and 2() the said planes being pivotally mounted preferably by means of hinges :21 to the forward of the bars 21 and are adapted for swinging movement between the planes 1 and 2. Suitable means have been provided 'in order to normally holdthese balancing planes in a position substantially intermediate the upper and lower planes 1 and 2 and to accomplish this purpose. I have connected one end of ac able 22 to the lmlancing plane it) at a point on the upper surface tltlJtlttllt the free outer corner thereof and trained the cable about a plurality of pulley wheels 23 suspended from the lower surface of the upper plane 1. the opposite end of the cable :22 being rigidly connected to the other balancing plane an at a point adjacent the upper outer corner thereof. This cable 22, although movable. tends at all times to maintain the planes in the proper position. In order to further aid in the maintenance of these planes 1%) and in this position, I have provided another cable 24, the respective ends of which are connected in eyelets 2-5 adjacent the free inner corners of the balancing planes 19 and 20, said cable being also trained about the intermediate pulley wheels in a manner as shown to advantage in the drawing.

In orderto simultaneously act upon these balancing planes and cause the same to move in the event that theaeroplane takes a sudden endwise tip, I have provided a cable 26, oneiencl of which is rigidly connected in any'suitable manner to the under surfaceot the balancing plane 19 adjacent the free outer corner thereof, said cable extending' downwardly and beiug' trained about a pulley wheel 27 carried on the upper surface of the lower plane adjacent an out'erend thereof and thence extended across the lower plane to another pulley wheel 28 adjacent the opening: l in the plane. The cable 26 is now extended across the opening 4 and trained about a pulley wheel 29 on the opposite side of the opening and is wrapped about the longitudinally extending rod 30, the rod being, rigidly mounted on the transverse bars 31 carried by the. supporting members 8 at points substantially intermediate the ends th'ereof and beneath the rectangular frame 13'. The cable Qtlis now extended to the opposite side of the opening and trained about a pulley wheel 32 carried son the u )per surface of the lower plane adjacent the pulley wheel .28. Finally the cable is again extended across the opening 4 and trained about the pulley wheels 32 and 33 carried on the upper surface of the 7 lower plane and positioned respectively adjaceiit the opening 4 and the free corner of the plane, whereupon it is connected to the under surface of the balancing plane 20 adjacent the outer free corner thereof. By the arrangement of this cable, the respective ends of which are connected to the balancin; planes 1S) and 20. when the machine takes a sudden or endwise dip to one side, the platform will remain at a substantially perpeiulicular position with respect to the frame of the machine and because of the cable will exert a pull on the balancing plane on the opposite side from whiclrthe. machine dips. therefore causing the said plane to be swune' downwardly against the atmosphere and balancing plane that is on tho othcr side of the platform to swing upwardly against the atmosphere thus eausingr the machine to be autonnitically righted, To further assist in the operation of the balancing planes cables 26' have their upper ends rigidly connected adjacent the free inner corners of the balancing planes. the opposite ends being trained about the pulley wheels 82 and 3:? and finally connected to the cable 26 as illus trated to advantage in Fig: 4.

In order to removably lock the balancing planes in various adjusted positions. I have provided a suitable governing means which in this instance consists essentially of a shaft 34. the respective ends of which are rotatably mounted in supporting brackets 35 carried on the upper surface of the platform on the side opposite from that on which the engine is disposed the said shaft having cables 36 and :37 wrapped tlua'eal'mut a suitable number of times. the respective ends of which are secured to the under surfaces of the lower plane adjacent the sides of the opening. l and when the planes are tilted the cables operate about the shaft. Suitably spaced collars .ltl are carried by the shafts and serving a suitable means for limiting the mmemeht of the cables on the shaft. Further associated with this locking means and coiiperating with the cables 36 and I)? for holding the platform i in a suitable rigid position with respect to the planes 1 and 2. is my improved operating means which in this instance cmisists essentially of a hand lever 31) pivotally mounted at its lower end to a braclt'et ltt A. brake shoe 41 is connected to the lever and is adapted for engagement with the wheel 42 rigidly can ried on the shaft 3i by means of a suitable. elastic element preferably a coil spring 43, the free ends of which are connected to the lever 39 and a part of one bracket 85 so as to normally exert a tension on the shoe and cause the latter to frictionally engage the wheel to prevent rotation thereof. A segmental rack H is arranged adjaiaant the lee ver, the teeth of the rack being at times enconsetpiently ranting the gage'd by a manually operable iciatedwith the lever for holding the shoe 1. out "of engagement with the wheel 42 when the machine is in flight to permit of the T1 nactution of the balancing planes.

A dri'vers seat 47 is rigidly mounted on the upper forward surface of the platform 9 adjacent the let 1 of the machine ma; controlling means The operation of my invention is as fol.- lows.-

Assuming that the machine has been assembled in the manner described and that the same has just begun its course of flight through the atmosphere, the operator disengages the brake shoe ll from the wheel as to permit of the swinging movement of the carriage 9. Shouldthe machine take a sudden endwise form 9, through the force of gravity would be readily swung in the direction of fall, and because of the connection of the cables 22, 2t and 26 with the balancing planes, main planes and platform, it will be apparent that the balancing planes will swing in the proper direction to automatically right the machine sinnlltaneously with the movement of the platform. Should it be desired to maintain the carriage in asubstantially rigid relation it is only necessary to actuate the pawl 45 to permit the spring to hold the brake shoe 41 in engagement with the wheel to vent rotation of the shaft 34:1.

Although I ha e shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I desire to be understood that I am not to be limited to the exact details shown, however, great stress is laid upon the swinging platform peculiarly mounted and. associated with the main planes and further connected with the balancing planes to automatically actuate the same to righten the machine when it takes a sudden endwise clip. Attention is also called to the novel means for holding the machine in a substantially rigid position when in the or when it is desired to dispense with the stabilizing device.

From the above description taken in con nection with the accompanying drawings, it can easily be seen that l have provided a have ready access to the device that is simple in construction, containing but a few simple parts cheaply that can be manufactured and assembled and i when assembled can be placed upon the market and sold at a minimum cost.

It will be understood that the above de scription and accompanying drawings comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention and that various minor changes in detail of construction, proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the claims without sacrificing any of the advantages u of my invention.

new

pawl 45 assoer 39 so that the ope 'ator -.an.d the upper main dip in either direction, the platparting a rotary Having thus fully described my invencure by Letters Patent, is

1. An aeroplane including main planes, balancing planes movably mounted there between, a swinging platform associated with the upper main plane, flexible connect ing means between the balancing planes plane, other flexible means connecting the balancing planes the lower main plane and platform and arranged so that movement of the platform will actuate the balancing planes, a shaft rotatably mounted on the platform, cables having their respective ends connected to the lower main plane and their intermediate portions wrapped about the shaft, and a brake lever removably associated with the shaft for locking the shaft against rotation to consequently prevent actuation of the balancing planes.

2. An aeroplane including upper and lower supporting planes, means for bracing the planes, a bar associated with the under surface of the npperplane, the lower plane being provided with an opening, a platform arranged beneath the opening, supportingimembers connected to the ones of the platform and pivoted to the bar, a propelling shaft rotatably associated with the members, means on the platform for immotion to the shaft to consequently propel the aeroplane, balancing planes mounted to swing between the main planes, flexible means for connecting the balancing planes with the upper planes, flexible means for connecting the balancing planes with the platform, another shaft rotatably mounted on the platform, cables having the free respective ends connected to the lowerv main. plane and having their intermediate portions wrapped about the last mentioned shaft, a brake lever, means for holding the lever in engagement with the shaft for preventing actuation of the shaft, and means for removably holding the lever out of engagement with the shaft to permit of actuation of the balancing planes.

3. An aeroplane including upper and lower supporting planes, means for bracing the planes, bar associated. with the under surface of the upper plane, the lower, plane being provided with an opening intermediate its en.ds, a platform, supporting means pivotally connected to the bar and arranged through the'opening in the lower plane and connected to the platform for supporting the platform beneath the opening in the lower plane, a propeller operatively associated with the supporting means, means on the platform for actuating the propeller, balancing planes pivotally mounted and arranged to swing between the main planes, a cable movably connected to the upper main plane and having its respective ends connected to the outer ends of the balancing planes, another cable 1n0vably mounted on the supporting means and the lower main plane and having its respective ends connected to the onterends of the balancing planes whereby when the platform is moved the balancing planes will be actuated, flexible means arranged 10 between the lower main plane and the platform, and means mounted on the platform and c0-acting with the flexible means for preventing actuation of the balancing planes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

LAWRENCE Li FO'SBURGH. Witnesses:

A. J. WILDMAN, MARGARET N. Dm- 

